Media Statement - Containment of oil leak at Port Dickson Refinery

Shell Refining Company (Federation of Malaya) Berhad confirms that approximately 35 barrels of residue fuel oil (a by-product) from the Port Dickson refinery was found in the monsoon drains along the stretch of Kampung Paya and Kampung Air Meleleh, adjacent to the refinery on Saturday, 7 May 2011.

A round-the-clock clean-up operation commenced immediately and was completed late on Monday. The situation is now under control with all the fuel oil contained and recovered, and no impact expected on the surrounding areas. Containment efforts ensured that the fuel was prevented from flowing into the Straits of Malacca.

Upon discovery of this incident, the refinery emergency response team together with PIMMAG (Petroleum Industry Malaysia Mutual Aid Group) immediately commenced the clean-up operation which was completed on Monday, 9 May 2011. Fifty people were involved in the operation during which five booms were installed to trap the sludge and excavators deployed to clear the waterways.

Initial investigations by the refinery indicates that the source of the leak was from a line connected to the residue fuel oil storage tank. The Department of Environment, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health and all other relevant authorities have been informed. Together with the authorities, we are conducting a full investigation into the incident and will implement the learnings and take necessary measures to prevent a recurrence.

The communities of Kampung Paya and Kampung Air Meleleh have been engaged.

Shell Refining Company will continue to keep the authorities and the community updated.

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Issued by Shell Malaysia Media Relations Department. For further enquiries, please contact: 
Peing Tajang at tel: 03 2091 2161, 
Stephanie Khoo at tel: 03 2091 2115

• View the Post clean-up pictures